Walk to School Day Across Orange County

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — The Orange County Sheriff’s Department celebrated National Walk to School Day on Wednesday, with a unified traffic safety messages to Orange County communities.

'Students from many schools in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction will be walking and biking to school, along with parents, teachers, public safety partners and community leaders," Public Information Officer Mark Stichter said. "Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling. It also emphasizes the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between law enforcement, families, schools and the broader community."

Important Safety Reminders for both pedestrians and drivers were given to all as a plea to keep the roads and sidewalks safe for all.

For Pedestrians:

• Walk on a sidewalk or path when one is available.
• If no sidewalk or path is available, walk on the shoulder, facing traffic.
• Stay alert; don’t be distracted by electronic devices, including smart phones, MP3 players, and other devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.
• Be cautious night and day when sharing the road with vehicles. Never assume a driver sees you (he or she could be distracted, under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or just not see you). Make eye contact with drivers as they approach.
• Be predictable. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections when possible. This is where drivers expect pedestrians.
• If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area, wait for a gap in traffic that allows you enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic as you cross.
• Be visible. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flash light at night.

For Drivers:

• Look for pedestrians everywhere. Pedestrians may not be walking where they should be or may be hard to see—especially in poor lit conditions, including dusk/dawn/night and poor weather.
• Always stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk or where pedestrian crosswalk signs are posted.
• Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. They may be stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the street.
• Slowdown and look for pedestrians. Be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Follow the speed limit; slow down around pedestrians.
• Stay focused and slow down where children may be present, like school zones and neighborhoods.

For additional information, please visit these websites:

Walk to School Day in the USA - www.walkbiketoschool.org

National Center for Safe Routes to School - www.saferoutesinfo.org

Funding for pedestrian safety education is provided to The Orange County Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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